Practice Questions and Written Responses (1)

Practice 1

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Decisions made by a group are always better than decisions made by individuals.

I agree with the statement that group decisions are better.

For one thing, group decisions are more likely to be applicable. When a decision is concluded by many peoples, more factors and consequences are to be taken in to considerations because different people have different view of aspect. Usually, it leads to a more comprehensive decision.

For another, members will be more motivated to implement the decision. A person feels more responsible if his or her suggestion accounts for the final decision, just because of the feeling that being acknowledged by others. Therefore, he or she is more likely to work hard to make the decision work. Group decision means everyone in the group will have this kind of thought less or more, and I think it’s better than only one person that pushes everyone to work.

Practice 2

When people are working, some prefer to do hard work first and then do easy work, while others want to do the easy work first and then do the hard one. Which way do you prefer?

I prefer to do the easy work first.

Because I think positive feedback are important at first. Easy work is more likely to be done quickly and successfully, which will give me a sense of achievement. While if I do the hard work first, maybe I have no idea how to do it, feel frustrated and even give up.

Besides, thinking twice before doing hard work is more efficiency. Complex work usually requires more experience and planning, you may encounter many troubles during the process and stuck in them. This will waste a lot of time. But with the knowledge or just some inspiration from the easy work you have done before, those troubles in the hard work can be solved more easily.

Practice 3

When it comes to buying daily necessities, some people prefer to shop in grocery stores now and then to gather all the things they need, while others prefer to go to a supermarket and buy everything all at once. Which do you prefer and why?

I prefer to prepare all the things I need in a supermarket.

For one thing, it can save a lot of time. Compared to a supermarket, grocery stores are relatively small, they don’t have a wide range of products, and distribute in different places. Since I can buy all kinds of daily necessities in a supermarket, the time I otherwise spend on going to different grocery stores can be saved.

For another, it helps to develop a good habit of planning. When going to a supermarket, I need to think for a while about what I need and whether I spend too much money on something. This habit can help me to make better use of my money and avoid impulse buying.

Practice 4

To enrich their after-school lives and cover living expenses, many college students tend to seek part-time jobs. Some universities worry that work might cut into students’ study time. Therefore, they set a limit on the numbers of hours per week that students spend on part-time jobs. Do you think this is a good idea?

I think it is a good idea. Part-time jobs should be limited for college students.

For one thing, not all students can handle the balance between study and part-time jobs. The main purpose of going to college is to study. And the part-time jobs are just some approaches to enrich or support study life. It is thoughtless if students spend too much time on part-time jobs and ignore their study. However, these students always exist. So the limit on the part-time jobs is necessary.

Besides, study needs the atmosphere of campus. If most students are pursuing part-time jobs, the campus will be less active in academic activities. Students will be less motivated to study. As a consequence, the quality of education will be affected.

Practice 5

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: Schools should require students to complete physical fitness tests before graduation?

I agree with the statement. Physical fitness tests are necessary for students.

I think it is an opportunity for students to have a physical education class. As we know, classroom-based classes usually have a final exam. Students will be forced to study hard to pass the exam. However, these can be used as an excuse for other teachers to occupy the physical education class time. Physical education teachers are prone to getting sick easily.

If students are required to complete physical fitness tests, the physical education class will exist. Teachers have no reason to occupy their physical class, and students themselves will value physical exercise more. A balanced life between study and exercise, I believe, is good for students’ health.

Practice 6

When people travel, some people prefer to visit some new places where they have never been before. Others prefer to return to places that they have already visited. Which way do you prefer? Explain why.

I prefer to visit some new places where I have never seen before.

For one thing, new places can bring me new experiences. I can taste unique local food, appreciate different scenery and expose to new culture. These experiences enrich my life and broaden my horizon.

For another, on workdays, I have already bored with everything around me. Going to the same place again still makes me feel bored, even reminds me of the boring work. Travel is not a regular thing for me, so I want to make the most of it. To escape from the boring life, I prefer to go to a new place when I have time to travel, where I can forget all the troubles from work and enjoy the feeling of freshness.

Practice 7

Some students prefer to make friends with people who are about the same age. Other students prefer to make friends with people of different ages. Which way do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

I prefer to make friends with people about the same age.

Because making friends with people about the same age is easier. One generation have their own experience, so it is less likely to have the common topics between people of different ages. We know, topics is important for people to communicate with each other, and common topics make people feel closer. So the people of the same age are more likely to become friends.

Besides, people of different ages have different life stages. For example, as a teenager, I can’t play basketball with people who are in my parents’ age because they are not as energetic as me. And I can’t play computer games with children because they are not allowed to play games. It seems that even though we are friends, we can’t do many things together.